Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHRISTINE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHRISTINE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Most quaintly touching, in her
Last Line: "than yet I am to you. So ist good night."
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Death; Germany; Grief; Love; Dead, The; Germans; Sorrow; Sadness


Two strangers meeting at a festival; Two lovers whispering by an orchard
wall.
-- TENNYSON.

MOST quaintly touching, in her German tongue --
Haply, had he but mastered that as well
As she his English, this were not to tell: --
Touring through her dear Fatherland, the young
American first found her, as she sung
"Du bist mir nah' und doch so fern," while fell
Their eyes together, and the miracle
Of love and doom was wrought. Her father wrung
The lovers from each other's arms forever --
Forgive him, all forgiving souls that can!
She died that selfsame hour -- just paused to write
Her broken heart's confession thus: "I never
Was O so loving in a young gentleman
Than yet I am to you. So ist Good night."





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